Wild ride ahead for Whitbread crews

Jan 1, 2003

For the seventh time since 1972 the Whitbread Round the World Racebegan September 21 off the southern coast of England. The 31,000-mile race, which is expected to last slightly more than four months, will include nine port stops.

Gone are the heavy 80-foot maxi designs of the last race. All 10 of the Whitbread yachts are Open 60 designs. This Whitbread is expected to be the fastest and most extreme to date, with 500-mile days likely. Follow day-to-day progress of the Whitbread at www.whitbread.org or on ESPN.